Page 85 of Love's Cure

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

On Saturday morning, Crystal felt like a child waiting for a birthday party. It was rare that she could get together with the three Gilford women, especially now that they were married. And with Whitney having a baby, time with her was even more precious. Even though the sky was gray with the promise of rain, nothing could dampen her enthusiasm.

Jerry and Lance had met the women when they’d visited her in Lilac Lake. In their honor, Jerry had made breakfast scones for their arrival.

“We’ll say hello, and then give you women your space,” said Lance, taking a bite of a scone.

“We’re going to meet friends in Portland today,” Jerry said, before sipping his coffee. “Hopefully the sun will appear this afternoon. In the meantime, this is a great place for you all to stay inside and be cozy.”

“It’s perfect,” said Crystal. “Thank you so much. I hope to repay you when you come to Lilac Lake as you promised.”

“Definitely,” said Lance. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and looked up at the sound of a car in his driveway. “I think they’re here.”

Crystal hurried to the door, flung it open, and ran to the car. Dani got out, followed by Taylor and Whitney.

One woman, then another, and another hugged her while the two men studied them from the front entry.

Crystal re-introduced the women to them and announced, “Jerry and Lance have given us use of their house while they travel to Portland up the coast.”

As Jerry ushered them inside, Lance spoke to Whitney. “I got your email and would like to talk to you about the theater program some other time. We’ve promised Crystal to come to Lilac Lake this fall. Maybe then?”

“That would be wonderful,” gushed Whitney.

Jerry served them coffee and set a plate of scones in the middle of the kitchen table. “Enjoy! We’ll see you later.”

After they left, Crystal said, “It’s cool and cloudy, how about staying here as Lance and Jerry suggested?”

“Fine,” said Dani. “I need a day to simply relax. Collister Construction has been very busy.”

“I’ve tried to talk Dani into starting her family so Timothy has at least one cousin to play with,” said Whitney, grinning at her sister.

“I’m not ready,” said Dani. She turned to Crystal. “But give us the lowdown on you and Emmett.”

Crystal faced Whitney. “You told them about us?”

“I told them that you and Emmett were serious. That’s all. With the three of us in a car alone without any interruptions, we all caught up on a lot of stuff.”

“Including the sudden departure of Diana McArthur,” said Taylor. “I’m not sure what happened, but she left town, and her brother told Cooper he was happy she’d gone. Something about the way she’d been acting.”

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